US embassy cable - 05SANSALVADOR2488

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002488 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2015 
TAGS: AEMR, CASC, EAID, ES, MARR, PGOV, PINS, PREL, US, HURRICANE KATRINA 
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR REITERATES KATRINA 
RELIEF OFFER 
 
REF: A. STATE 162270 
     B. STATE 163366 
     C. STATE 164132 
     D. SAN SALVADOR 2464 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael A. Butler, Reasons: 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C)  GOES Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez called CDA on 
September 7 at at President Saca's request.  Saca had been 
informed that Mexican troops had entered the U.S. to 
participate in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New 
Orleans, and he wanted to remind us that Salvadoran troops 
are ready to depart for the U.S. to assist in humanitarian 
rescue and relief operations, pending U.S. concurrence. 
Lainez added that El Salvador might even be able to transport 
its military personnel to the U.S. with its own assets, if 
required. 
 
2. (C)  COMMENT:  Per reftel D, post reiterates that El 
Salvador's armed forces stand ready to deploy 100-150 
specialists in rescue operations, including medical 
personnel, engineers, and military police.  This contingent 
has already been mobilized under President Saca's orders, 
pending USG response.  Given the nation's experience in 
recovering from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and three deadly 
earthquakes in 1986 and 2001, such personnel could make 
meaningful contributions to recovery operations in Louisiana 
and Mississippi. 
Butler